HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Centre for Sami Health Research, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway.
HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
J Adolesc Health. 2021 Jul;69(1):82-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.10.026. Epub 2020 Dec 4.
Underestimating overweight may prevent efforts toward reducing weight, but simultaneously benefit mental health and well-being. The magnitude of underestimation of overweight and obesity in adolescents is largely unknown, and so is to what extent this underestimation is associated with dieting behaviors, mental distress, and life satisfaction. As overweight has become more common during the past decades, associations between body size underestimation and mental health may have changed.
Overweight (iso-body mass index, iso-BMI ≥25) adolescents (aged 13-19 years) who participated in The Young-HUNT1 (1995-97, n = 1,338) or The Young-HUNT3 (2006-08, n = 1,833) surveys were included. Being overweight, but perceiving oneself as average-weighted or underweighted was defined as underestimation. Results were based on clinical examinations and self-report questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between body size underestimation, dieting behaviors, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction.
Among adolescents with overweight and obesity (iso-BMI ≥25), the prevalence of obesity (iso-BMI ≥30), body size underestimation, and having symptoms of anxiety and depression had increased from the first survey to the next. At both time points, body size underestimation was more common among boys than girls. In 2006-08, body size underestimation was negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in both sexes, and overall associated with higher life satisfaction equally over time. Dieting behavior was negatively associated with underestimation of body size.
Body size underestimation in adolescents with overweight/obesity has become more prevalent and a phenomenon associated with less dieting, better life satisfaction and mental health in both boys and girls.
低估超重可能会阻碍减肥的努力，但同时有益于心理健康和幸福感。青少年超重和肥胖的低估程度在很大程度上是未知的，同样未知的是这种低估与节食行为、精神困扰和生活满意度之间的关联程度。由于超重在过去几十年变得更加普遍，因此身体尺寸低估与心理健康之间的关联可能已经发生了变化。
本研究纳入了参加 Young-HUNT1 研究（1995-1997 年，n=1338）或 Young-HUNT3 研究（2006-2008 年，n=1833）的超重青少年（年龄 13-19 岁，体质量指数 iso-BMI≥25）。将超重但自我感知为平均体重或体重不足定义为低估。结果基于临床检查和自我报告问卷。采用多变量逻辑回归模型来检验身体尺寸低估、节食行为与焦虑、抑郁症状和生活满意度之间的关联。
在超重和肥胖（iso-BMI≥25）的青少年中，肥胖（iso-BMI≥30）、身体尺寸低估和出现焦虑、抑郁症状的比例从第一次调查到第二次调查均有所增加。在两个时间点，男孩中身体尺寸低估的比例均高于女孩。在 2006-2008 年，身体尺寸低估与两性的焦虑和抑郁症状呈负相关，并且整体上与生活满意度的提高呈正相关。节食行为与低估身体尺寸呈负相关。
超重/肥胖青少年的身体尺寸低估变得更为普遍，是一种与两性中较少节食、更好的心理健康和生活满意度相关的现象。
